One of the most talked about rules in TGL presented by SoFi’s inaugural season was the shot clock—a 40-second timer that ensures players keep the action moving. With a goal to deliver a fast-paced, fan-focused experience, the TGL shot clock is designed to eliminate downtime during the 15-hole matches.

But how exactly does it work? And why 40 seconds? And how did it impact play during Season 1? Let’s break down everything you need to know.

What Is the TGL Shot Clock?

The TGL shot clock is a 40-second countdown timer that begins when a player is up for their shot. If they fail to play within this timeframe, the result is a one-stroke penalty—no exceptions. The rule applies to every shot taken during a match. Teams only have two designated timeouts available per session (two during Triples, two more during Singles), which means they have to strategize and play fast to avoid penalties.

RELATED: TGL Match Format

The implementation of the shot clock aligns with the USGA’s pace-of-play recommendations, which suggest players should take no more than 40 seconds per stroke. By limiting the time players spend over the ball, the action inside SoFi Center aims for a faster, dynamic version of golf.

How the TGL Shot Clock Works

The mechanics of the TGL shot clock are simple. The 40-second countdown begins once it’s that player’s turn to hit. This includes allowing the previous shot to settle and, in some cases, giving teams time to strategize at the Digital Caddie. The shot clock is paused during any official interruption or while a timeout is called, but otherwise, 40 seconds is all each player gets to plan and hit their shot.

Enforcement of the shot clock is managed by the TGL referee Derrick Stafford and the booth official, Mark Russell. The shot clock appears prominently on the screens at SoFi Center and during broadcasts, making it visible to players, fans in the venue, and fans at home. When the clock hits 15 seconds and below, a heartbeat sound pulses in the arena—an auditory cue for the players and fans that the pressure is mounting and time is running out.

Each team is granted four timeouts per match—two per session. These timeouts stop the clock and give players an additional 60 seconds to plan their shot or reset. Teams must use them wisely, as unused timeouts do not carry over from Triples to Singles. Once all timeouts are exhausted, any hesitation risks a penalty.

Shot Clock Season 1 Impact

From the very first match of Season 1, the TGL shot clock had an impact. Matches moved quickly, with the average shot time for teams consistently falling well under the 40-second limit. The average time remaining on the shot clock per shot across teams was about 16.3 seconds, with New York Golf Club leading the pack as the fastest team at an average of 18.6 seconds remaining on the clock per shot.

The faster pace keeps the match moving and adds a layer of strategy and tension to close matchups. It's also an extra dynamic for players and teams to take into account.

RELATED: TGL Explained

“I didn't feel rushed at all. We play quick as it is…It was much faster than I thought, but...I felt like I had time to choose my shot,” said Matt Fitzpatrick of New York Golf Club.

“When you get to the artificial heartbeat, combined with your heartbeat and the nerves, like it really does accentuate the moment a little bit,” said Wyndham Clark of The Bay Golf Club.

Has There Been a Shot Clock Violation?

Yes—and it came from none other than Tiger Woods.

During the Jupiter Links Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf matchup on Jan. 27, Woods committed the league’s first shot clock violation. As the timer ticked past 40 seconds, Tiger failed to pull the trigger and a one-stroke penalty was assessed.

Woods took the penalty in stride, acknowledging post-match, “Normally I slow my heart rate down before I pull the trigger, so dropping my heart rate down sometimes takes a little bit longer than others. As I told these guys, it's on me. I should have called timeout.”